Where did these 5 former Blue Jays land in the offseason?

With spring training right around the corner, Toronto Blue Jays fans are eagerly awaiting the first glimpses of pitchers and catchers to appear on social media. Once those glimpses become available, fans will see plenty of new faces gracing the bullpens and backfields in Dunedin, Florida, this spring.

The Blue Jays will welcome Jeff Hoffman and Nick Sandlin in the bullpen, slugger Anthony Santander in the outfield, speedy second baseman Andrés Giménez in the infield and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in the rotation.

But they're not the only new faces fitting into a new team this spring training.

Where did these 5 former Blue Jays land as 2025 spring training approaches?

Jordan Romano: Philadelphia Phillies

The biggest name who won't be returning to the Blue Jays this season is a two-time All-Star in Romano. The local kid who survived being plucked in the Rule 5 Draft in 2018 had the six-season run for his hometown team come to an end in November.

Romano struggled with injuries last year (so much so he underwent a procedure to clean up his right elbow in July), and was non-tendered after the season.

Romano didn't have to wait long to find a new club, as he signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Phillies at the Winter Meetings. The Phillies are banking on Romano bouncing back to his 2022-'23 All-Star form when he posted a 2.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and had 72 saves.

The most bizarre thing about Romano landing in Philadelphia's bullpen is that he's taking the late-inning spot vacated by Hoffman, who signed a three-year deal with the Blue Jays. Now these two will be compared all season after the de facto closer swap.

Spencer Horwitz: Pittsburgh Pirates

Where were you on Dec. 10, 2024? Chances are you probably don't remember. But you can bet Spencer Horwitz does, as the first baseman was traded twice in the span of a few hours on that day. The promising young bat was the main piece sent back to Cleveland in the trade for Giménez before being promptly dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The move to trade Horwitz shocked Blue Jays fans, although he was a player without a position with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base. Despite learning second base on the fly, he never looked comfortable there.

Horwitz, now 27, compiled 1.2 bWAR in just 97 games in 2024, hitting .265 with a .790 OPS. Fans got a glimpse of his burgeoning power as he hit 12 home runs and drove in 40 while walking at an 11 percent clip.

Horwitz appears to be the frontrunner to play first base for the Pirates in 2025, and will be joined by former Blue Jay Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It will be fun to watch what the former 24th-round draft pick does with regular playing time.

Génesis Cabrera: New York Mets

Génesis Cabrera was a casualty of the numbers game this offseason. With the left-hander projected to earn $2.5 million in arbitration, the Blue Jays waived him in early November to cut down the 40-man roster. He refused the minor league assignment and opted for free agency.

Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets a few weeks later. The deal includes a non-roster invitation to spring training. The 28-year-old is down on the Mets' reliever depth chart, so he'll have to impress in spring training to get back to the big leagues.

Cabrera was one of the Blue Jays' most dependable relievers in what was a shaky bullpen. He posted a 3-3 record with a couple of saves and a 3.59 ERA in 62 2/3 innings.

Unfortunately, Cabrera's struggles with command continued to haunt him. He walked batters at an above-league average 10.7 percent rate in 2024 and had his strikeout rate drop six precent compared to 2023. It's easy to see why Toronto's front office felt comfortable moving on.

Tim Mayza: Pittsburgh Pirates

Once a rock in the Blue Jays bullpen, left-hander Tim Mayza's 2024 season was an absolutely stunning fall from grace. Now he's in Pittsburgh on a one-year, $1.15 million deal.

Mayza's 8.03 ERA in 24 2/3 innings for the Blue Jays in 2023 resulted in the front office to releasing the 33-year-old in July. He signed with the New York Yankees and posted a 4.00 ERA in 15 appearances.

The long-time Blue Jay has a career 3.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in seven major league seasons. His best campaign came in 2023 when he ran a 1.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings.

Mayza joins a Pirates relief corps that had a 4.49 ERA in 2024 and struggled to a 5.00 ERA against left-handed batters.

Danny Jansen: Tampa Bay Rays

It was tough enough for fans to see catcher Danny Jansen traded to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline last summer. Now, they'll have to endure a full season of seeing the fan-favorite backstop with another AL East team, as he he agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal includes a mutual option for 2026.

Jansen, 29, suited up in Toronto over parts of seven seasons but struggled to avoid the injured list. He showed promise as a power-hitting catcher and was a favorite in the clubhouse, but the Blue Jays couldn't rely on him to be a dependable No. 1 option behind the plate. He played a career-high 107 games in 2019, but never got above the century mark in any of his other seasons.

Jansen's best offensive year in a Blue Jays uniform came in 2022 when he hit .260 with an .855 OPS and 141 wRC+. He managed 15 home runs in just 72 games.

Jansen should be Tampa's everyday catcher in 2025. He just needs to stay healthy and perform, or he might find himself in a platoon with Ben Rortvedt.